HEROES and heroines from Comet country - including a four-legged friend - were recognised for their fantastic work in the community at an awards ceremony on Thursday.

This year’s annual The Comet Community Awards paid tribute to the hard work of many individuals who have made a difference to their community.

Finalists from 12 categories - ranging from Young Achiever to Valiant Volunteer and Parent in a Million - descended on the Ramada Cromwell Hotel in Stevenage for the evening as the winners were crowned.

Fire investigation dog CC and his handler Nikki Harvey scooped two awards, winning the Service to the Community category and Role Model of the Year.

Speaking afterwards, Nikki said: “I’m thrilled to bits. It was such a shock to win two awards and I’m really really happy.

“It’s a credit to the work he (CC) does and it’s great that other people are recognising it.”

Charity Champions went to Andrew Smith for his fundraising efforts for Stevenage Scouting, as well as other local charities.

Reacting to the news, he said: “I never thought I would win something like this. I’m really proud.”

The night concluded with the Lifetime Achievement award, won by 92-year-old Scottie Maclean who treated injured soldiers on the front line at Dunkirk during World War II and has raised thousands of pounds for the Royal British Legion.

Scottie, who received a standing ovation from the audience, said: “I’m just an ordinary person who was doing my bit for the war.”

The full list of winners were as follows:

Carer of the Year: Janis Daniel (sponsored by Specsavers Stevenage)

Teacher of the Year: Georgina Orton (North Hertfordshire College)

Valiant Volunteer: Pauline Kingsmill (www.job24.co.uk)

Parent in a Million: Susan Berry (Green Line)

Young Achiever: Stephanie Walker (The Comet)

Nurse / Care Worker of the Year: Coral Clark (www.homes24.co.uk)

Great and Green: The Green Beans at Lonsdale School (Sainsbury’s Stevenage)

Charity Champions: Andrew Smith (Betfair)

Good Neighbour Award: Elsie Beedle (North Hertfordshire Homes)

Service to the Community: CC and Nikki Harvey (Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation)

Role Model of the Year: CC and Nikki Harvey (Ramada)

Lifetime Achievement: Scottie Maclean (Ramada)